Continuing in the spirit of the "wildly" popular first edition, new works from today's finest wildlife artists of every medium are featured in a celebration of art and nature. 130 full-color photos, illustrations.

Celebrate the beauty, diversity and expression of drawing with this second collection in the Strokes of Genius series - 140 examples of the finest drawing being done today. Fresh from the studios and sketchpads of 100 artists, these striking creations run the gamut from highly detailed, remarkably realistic images that were months in the making, to contour drawings, journal sketches and gestures captured in mere minutes. Selections feature original approaches to landscapes, portraits and other classic subjects, along with offbeat inspirations like vintage photos and washed-off watercolor paintings. In these pages you'll find: • A vast range of mediums and combinations, including charcoal, pencil, pastel, ink and more • An exciting mix of styles and techniques presented in subject-specific chapters: Portraits, Cityscapes, Animals, the Human Figure, Landscapes and Still Life • Firsthand perspective on the processes behind the work, offering expert insights on capturing atmosphere, telling a story, finding the right pose, achieving vitality of line, and much more With a special focus on the power of light and shadow, this work has an immediacy that is honest and engaging. Filled with strokes of poetry, precision and passion, this is a memorable collection of art as well as an inspiring survey of techniques that artists use to translate impressions to paper.

Truth. Beauty. Experience. Emotion. The artists included in Art Journey: Portraits and Figures say they have discovered all of these things and more through their work. Sometimes it's in the eyes. Or perhaps it's the hint of an expression that seems to beckon one closer, begging to share a secret. Maybe it's the tilt of a chin. Or the posture or stance of one's subject. But in a well executed portrait or figure? Something special, something unique that is invariably revealed--oftentimes about both the subject and the artist. Covering a tantalizing range of styles, the works within illustrate the many ways today's best artists choreograph shape, value, line texture and color into compositions that create drama, tell a story and pull the viewer in. Featuring unusual perspectives, enticing contrasts and other dynamic design elements, Art Journey: Portraits and Figures delivers fresh inspiration for artists of every skill level and medium. • Art and inspiration from 109 contemporary artists working in charcoal, pencil, pastel, colored pencil, scratchboard, pen and ink, and more • 107 masterful works--the best in portraiture and figure work--demonstrating a wonderful diversity of styles • Expert tips and advice and insights into the stories behind art

Featured artist Jerry Stitt contemplates that ''A painting is good not because it looks like something, but because it feels like something.'' The difference is passion '' the kind of energy, excitement and pure joy that pulses through every page of this book. A brilliant collection of the best watercolors being created today, Splash 10 explores "passion" through the work and words of 100 top contemporary painters. With each modern-day masterpiece, insightful firsthand commentary taps into the psyche of the artists to explore where their passion comes from, and where it leads them. These artists find the passion to paint in any number of places - a handful of peppermints, a rescued dog named Tugboat, visits to places where "even the walls have personality," and spectacular moments created by the warm late-afternoon sun partnering with rich, cool cast shadows. Some of them find passion in their materials (like rice paper) or in the very act of putting paint to paper, whether it be broad, wet strokes of pure color applied with big brushes and arm-swinging applications, or meditative, economical strokes. This edition of Splash is dedicated to discovering not only how today's artists create great watercolors, but what motivates them to be creative, work in this amazing medium, and portray the subjects they love.

The Potential of Watercolor Revealed Luminous, dynamic and expressive, watercolor is an intriguing medium for artist and viewer alike. Splash 9: Watercolor Secrets invites you to push your own creative potential to new heights as you explore the work of more than 100 of today's best watercolor artists. Page after page showcases a diverse array of styles and subjects, from quiet still lifes to animated streetscapes to mood-filled portraits. Each featured artist punctuates this collection with his or her own distinctive mastery of the medium. In every work, you'll see how color, composition and personal inspiration blend with years of practice, commitment and experimentation to create resonant works of stunning beauty. Created specifically for artists and art lovers, Splash 9 invites you to discover watercolor on a deeper level, providing detailed commentary from the artists themselves on every piece. You'll learn about their influences, their challenges and, most importantly, their specialized painting techniques. Delight in the secrets of this inspiring collection!